When to Hire a Reading Tutor

In a recent article in the Huffington Post,   United Way President and CEO  David Gallagher issues a call to action, arguing that it’s time to curtail the debate on what ails our educational system and  start actively  volunteering, mentoring and teaching our children how to read better.

 “We know that the problems start early with two-thirds of American fourth graders who cannot read at their grade level and continues on to high school with 1.2 million students dropping out each year. Disadvantaged children come to school at least two years behind their peers in pre-reading skills. Everyone would agree that our country is in the midst of an education crisis, but now we must move beyond the discourse and do something about the problems. It's time to ask, what can I do for my community?”  Read the full article here.

Although Mr. Gallagher specifically calls attention to kids in disadvantaged communities, reading problems know no socioeconomic boundaries.  Further, although Mr. Gallagher’s call for volunteers is admirable, students lacking in critical skills need the benefit of experienced teachers and tutors specifically trained in reading strategies.

Master Reading Skills at an Early Age

Mr. Gallagher has it right when he says “Reading is linked to high school success. That's because children are learning to read for the first few years of school, but after fourth grade they're reading to learn. Without strong reading skills, they fall behind, disengage and often drop out. As a child grows, reading becomes increasingly important for understanding the world, achieving academic success and succeeding in the workforce. The foundation for reading reaches a critical juncture between kindergarten and third grade. That's when children begin to acquire the skills that enable them to find meaning in written text.”

We couldn’t have said it better.  Moreover, for parents it’s time to consider hiring a reading tutor when:

1. You observe your child having difficulty reading out loud;  it’s a clear signal that he lacks phonetical decoding skills
2. Language Arts and/or Social Studies homework (reading-intensive subjects) take an inordinate amount of time.
3. Your child “tunes out” to any type of reading activity
4. Report cards and other feedback from teachers support your own observations in the home.

Find the right tutor for your child.  At Think Tutoring, kids who complete our reading tutoring programs, delivered by certified teachers and reading specialists, average 1.7 grade level improvement in just three months.